On 9 January, 1960, Tobias and Eileen had a son, Severus Snape[1]. The family's lives were fraught with tension and anger; Severus noted during a conversation with his friend Lily Evans that his parents fought often[1]. Several times it was noted that Severus had a rundown, uncared-for look about him, and it is thus likely that Tobias and Eileen were either neglectful, poor or both[1]. The thought of leaving his family to go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry enthralled Severus, and it is thus unlikely that he had a good home life[1].

By September1981, Tobias and Eileen no longer resided at Spinner's End, and it is thus likely they either were deceased or lived elsewhere[1].

Physical appearance

Tobias had a hooked nose and very dark hair, traits his son inherited[3].

Personality and traits

Tobias was not fond of very much of anything, but showed particular hatred towards his wife Eileen, son Severus and their magic[1]. He was very bitter and showed complete disregard for his child[1].

Relationships

Family

Tobias had a very poor relationship with both his wife and his son; when Severus was younger, Tobias frequently shouted at and hit Eileen whilst Severus crouched in a corner, crying[3]. The memory of watching his parents fighting would haunt Severus even into adulthood, as witnessed during an Occlumency lesson given by him to Harry Potter[3].

It is likely that Tobias was equally abusive or at the very least neglectful of Severus, given how much Severus despised all Muggles[1]. Even at a very young age, Severus noticed with pain how his parents fought; it caused him a great deal of distress, and he was quite happy to be able to leave the house to visit his friend Lily Evans[1].

Etymology

Tobias is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Tobiah from the biblical books of Ezra and Nehemiah, meaning "God is good". In the apocryphal Book of Tobit in the Old Testament, Tobias is assisted by the archangel in driving a demon away from Sarah, who subsequently became his wife.[4]

J. K. Rowling has stated that "Snape" is the name of a place in England[5]. It also is an English verb meaning "to be hard upon, rebuke or snub", derived from the Old Norse "sneypa", meaning "to outrage, dishonour, disgrace"[6].

Behind the scenes

The fact that Tobias lived near a textile mill may have given some indication of his occupation or socioeconomic status.

Tobias's eventual fate is unknown, although it is likely that he had died by 1996.

Tobias may have been an alcoholic or drug addict, or might have been unemployed, given how he frequently abused his wife and son, lived in a slum neighbourhood and his son wore ill-fitting, dirty clothes.